French winemakers dread 'smoky taste' after wildfires
This photograph shows smoke rising in the sky in Correns, southeastern France on July 31, 2026.(AFP)
Brushing his hand over crackling vine leaves, French winemaker Gregory Guibergia was relieved a wildfire only scorched the edge of his vineyard but he feared its smoke would ruin this year's vintage.
In the last row of his fields in southeastern France, the wind rustled through the brown leaves of vines that overheated during a blaze that swept the region this summer.
But plants further away were largely intact, with enough green leaves for their grapes to continue to mature in time for harvest next week.
